For the 2025-26 school year, there are 11 public elementary schools serving 2,272 students in Codington County, SD.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Codington County, SD are Lincoln Elementary - 05, Mckinley Elementary - 06 and Jefferson Elementary - 09. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Codington County, SD public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the South Dakota public elementary school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Codington County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary school average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Codington County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lincoln Elementary - 05
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1100 13th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6340
Gr: PK-4 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #22.
Mckinley Elementary - 06
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5 12th St Sw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6350
Gr: PK-4 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
Jefferson Elementary - 09
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1701 N Maple St
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6390
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6390
Gr: PK-4 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #44.
Mellette Elementary - 07
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
619 2nd St Nw
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6385
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6385
Gr: PK-4 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #55.
Watertown Intermediate School - 13
(Math: 41% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
601 11th St Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6355
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6355
Gr: 5-6 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #66.
Florence Elementary - 02
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
515 Main Ave
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Gr: PK-5 | 172 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #77.
Waverly-south Shore Elementary - 02
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
319 Mary Pl
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Gr: PK-5 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
Florence Middle School - 03
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
515 Main Ave
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Florence, SD 57235
(605) 758-2412
Gr: 6-8 | 65 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #99.
Henry Elementary - 02
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
111 N Cedar
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Gr: PK-5 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #1010.
Waverly-south Shore Middle School - 03
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
319 Mary Pl
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 886-9174
Gr: 6-8 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1111.
Henry Middle School - 03
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
111 N Cedar
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Henry, SD 57243
(605) 532-5364
Gr: 6-8 | 53 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Codington County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
216 10th St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6398
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6398
Gr: PK | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
216 10th St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6399
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6399
Gr: PK-K | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Northeast Technical High School - 01 (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
1311 3rd Ave Ne
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6380
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6380
Gr: 9-12
412 2nd St Se
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6360
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-6360
Gr: PK-4 | 148 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
203 South School St
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
Gr: PK-5 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
203 S School St
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
Gr: 9-12 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
203 S School St
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
South Shore, SD 57263
(605) 756-4120
Gr: 7-8 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Codington County, SD?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Codington County, SD include Lincoln Elementary - 05, Mckinley Elementary - 06 and Jefferson Elementary - 09.
How many public elementary schools are located in Codington County?
11 public elementary schools are located in Codington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Codington County?
Codington County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public elementary schools average of 36% (majority American Indian).
Recent Articles
Texas Schools Enrollment Trends & Policy in 2025
Latest data and policy changes on Texas public school enrollment growth, funding, and virtual education in 2025.
Financial Aid & Hidden Costs in Public Schools
Learn about financial aid and hidden costs in public schools. Discover what parents should budget for beyond tuition-free education.
NYC Schools Still Most Segregated in 2025
Despite reforms, New York City schools remain the most segregated in the U.S. in 2025. Here鈥檚 what parents and educators need to know.
